School Health Services

• Provide health care for ill and injured students.
• Leaders of the emergency response team to assure efficient and expert handling of emergency and crisis medical situations.
• Conduct health screenings.  (Yearly vision and scoliosis exams, eighth grade hearing exam).
• Monitor student immunization and physical exam status.
• Medical resource for faculty, parents and students.
• Provide safe and healthy school environment.
• Health education.
• Identification and solution of students’ health and education problems.  (Participate in PPT, 504 and Strategy meetings)

It is our hope that by improving the health status and health knowledge of students, we have helped to strengthen the education process.

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In accordance with Connecticut State Law and Town of West Hartford policy, a health assessment is required prior to public school enrollment and in grades 3,6, and 10.  A physical examination includes height, weight and blood pressure; hematocrit/hemoglobin lab studies; vision, hearing, speech and gross dental screenings; updating of immunizations and chronic disease assessment.  The health assessment information must be on the blue State of Connecticut Department of Health Assessment Record (form HAR-3). 

*Click here for blue State of Connecticut Health Assessment Record Form

Immunizations

Immunizations required are as follows: 

• DTP:  at least 4 doses with the last dose given on or after the 4^th birthday

A booster is required upon entry into 10^th grade 

• Hib:  at least one dose given on after the 1^st birthday (students < 5 years of age)

Children ages 5 and older do not need proof of Hib vaccine. 

• Polio:  at least 4 doses with the last dose given on or after the 4^th birthday 

• MMR:  2 doses for entry into kindergarten and 7^th grade 

• Hepatitis B:  3 doses for entry into kindergarten; 1 dose upon entry into 7^th grade, complete the series of 3 doses for entry into 8^th grade 

• Varicella:  1 dose on or after 1^st birthday or verification of disease (chicken pox)

Required for children born 1/1/97 or later.  Required for entry into 7^th grade.

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New Student Requirements

 Children entering West Hartford schools from another state or country must have a physical dated within 1 year of entry into West Hartford Schools.  If the student is from another country, the physical and immunization information must be completed by a CT licensed health care provider.

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School Policies

Medical Alert Notification

In order to best meet your child’s health and educational needs in school please inform the school nurse of any health related issues or any current medications.  The school staff working with your child will be notified in a confidential manner and adequate allowances will be made.It is very important that the school be notified of any change in emergency numbers.

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Medication Administration in School                       

Every effort should be made to have any medications given at home.  If this is not possible, remember that ALL medications, including non-prescription medications (Tylenol and Advil), require written authorization from a doctor and parent.  State law and regulations pertaining to administration of medications in school requires an Authorization Of Medication By School Personnel form to be completed by a doctor, dentist, or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. The form must also be signed by a parent/guardian. Medication must be brought to the nurse in the original labeled container with no more than a 45 day supply. 

*Click here for the Authorization of Medication by School Personnel form

*Click here for the Authorization for Self Administration of Inhaled Asthma Medication form

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Ill child policy                                    

Regular school attendance is necessary for optimal learning. However, a mere presence at school does not ensure effective learning. A child must be feeling well in order to maximize the learning experience. In addition, a child who is sick and comes to school may spread the illness to other students and staff. It is recommended that a child remain home if any of the following conditions are present:

·        Fever.  The child should remain at home with a fever greater than 100 degrees.  The child can return to school after he/she has been fever free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin).

·        Diarrhea/Vomiting.  A child with diarrhea and/or vomiting should stay at home and return to school only after being symptom-free for 24 hours.

·        Conjunctivitis.  Following a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, the child may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication.

·        Rashes.  Common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages.  A child with a suspicious rash should return to school only after a health care provider has made a diagnosis and authorized the child’s return to school.

·        Colds.  Consider keeping your child at home if he/she is experiences excessive nose blowing and coughing.

A child who has started antibiotics needs to be on the medication for 24 hours before considered non-contagious and able to return to school.   When a child returns to school, he/she should be able to participate in all school activities including physical education.  Remember, it is an extremely long day for a child who is sent to school ill.  Not only is it difficult to concentrate and learn if repeatedly coughing or blowing your nose, but also it creates disruption in the classroom and affects the concentration and learning of your child’s classmates.  Thank you for helping make Sedgwick a healthy place to learn. 

Crutches          

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Health and Safety Education

Backpack Safety

Backpacks come in all sizes, colors, fabrics, and shapes and help kids of all ages express their own personal sense of style. And if they're used properly, they can be a useful tool for kids.

Many packs come with multiple compartments that help students stay organized while they tote their books and papers from home to school and back again. Compared to shoulder bags or purses, backpacks are better because the strongest muscles in the body - the back and the abdominal muscles - support the weight of the packs. When worn correctly, the weight is evenly distributed across the child's body, and shoulder and neck injuries are less common than if the child carried a briefcase or purse.

As practical as backpacks are, though, they can strain muscles and joints and may cause back pain if they're too heavy or are used incorrectly. However, there are steps you can take to help your child avoid back pain and other problems associated with improperly used packs.

What Problems Can Backpacks Pose?

To help understand how heavy backpacks can affect your child's body, it helps to understand how the back works. Your child's spine is made of 33 bones called vertebrae, and between the vertebrae are discs that act as natural shock absorbers. When a heavy weight, such as a backpack filled with books, is incorrectly placed on your child's shoulders, the weight's force can pull your child backward. To compensate, your child may bend forward at the hips or arch his or her back, which can cause your child's spine to compress unnaturally. Because of the heavy weight, your child might begin to develop shoulder, neck, and back pain.

Kids who wear their backpacks over just one shoulder - as many kids do, because they think it looks better - may end up leaning to one side to offset the extra weight. They might develop lower and upper back pain and strain their shoulders and neck. Improper backpack use can also lead to poor posture. Girls and younger children may be especially at risk for backpack-related injuries because they're smaller and may carry loads that are heavier in proportion to their body weight.

Also, backpacks with tight, narrow straps that dig into the shoulders can interfere with a child's circulation and nerves. These types of straps can contribute to tingling, numbness, and weakness in the child's arms and hands.

And bulky or heavy backpacks don't just cause back injuries. Here are some other safety issues to consider:

People who carry large packs often aren't aware of how much space the packs take up and can hit others with their packs when turning around or moving through tight spaces, such as the aisles of the school bus.
Students are often injured when they trip over large packs or the packs fall on them.
Carrying a heavy pack changes the way a person walks and increases the risk of falling, particularly on stairs or other places where the backpack puts the student off balance.

Purchasing a Safe Pack

Despite their potential problems, backpacks are an excellent tool for children when used properly. But before you buy that trendy new backpack your kid or teen has been begging you for, consider the backpack's construction.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents look for the following when choosing the right backpack:

• a lightweight pack that doesn't add a lot of weight to your child's load (for example, even though leather packs look cool, they weigh more than traditional canvas backpacks)
• two wide, padded shoulder straps - straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders
• a padded back, which not only provides increased comfort, but also protects your child from being poked by sharp edges on objects (pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the pack
• a waist belt, which helps to distribute the weight more evenly across the body
• multiple compartments, which can also help distribute the weight more evenly

Although packs on wheels (which look like small, overhead luggage bags) may be good options for students who have to lug around really heavy loads, they may be less practical than traditional backpacks because they're extremely difficult to pull up stairs and to roll through snow. Check with your child's school before buying your child a rolling pack; many schools don't allow them because they can pose a tripping hazard in the hallways.

Using Backpacks Wisely

Lighten the load. No matter how well-designed the backpack, doctors and physical therapists recommend that children carry packs of no more than 10% to 15% of their body weight - but less is always better. If your child doesn't know what 10% to 15% of his or her body weight feels like, use the bathroom scale to get an idea (for example, if your child weighs 80 pounds, his or her backpack shouldn't weigh more than 8 to 12 pounds).

A lot of the responsibility for packing lightly - and safely - rests with your child:

• Encourage your child to use the locker or desk frequently throughout the day instead of carrying the entire day's worth of books in the backpack.
• Make sure your child isn't toting unnecessary items - laptops, CD players, and video games can add extra pounds to your child's pack.
• Encourage your child to bring home only the books that are needed for homework or studying each night.
• Ask about your child's homework planning. If you've noticed that your child seems to have a heavier pack on Fridays, he or she may be procrastinating on homework until the weekend, which may make the backpack much heavier.

Use and pick up the backpack properly.

Picking up the backpack the right way can also help your child to avoid back injuries. As with any heavy weight, your child should bend at the knees and grab the pack with both hands when lifting a backpack to the shoulders.

Use all of the backpack's compartments, putting heavier items, such as textbooks, closest to the center of the back.

Being a Safe Backpack Advocate

• allowing students more time in between classes to use lockers
• purchasing paperback books
• implementing school education programs about safe backpack use
• purchasing books on CD-ROM or putting some curriculum on the school's website, when possible

You may need to adjust your child's backpack and/or reduce how much your child is carrying if he or she:

• struggles to get the backpack on or off
• has back pain
• leans forward to carry the backpack
• If your child continues to have back pain or has numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, talk to your child's doctor or physical therapist.

Updated and reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: August 2004
Originally reviewed by: Richard W. Kruse, DO

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Bike Safety

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Breakfast Bandwagon

All of us have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet 40% of kids do not eat breakfast every day. Failures to make time for breakfast, no access to nutritious foods, and lack of appetite first thing in the morning are some reasons given for skipping this important meal.

Why is breakfast so important? For most people, it’s been probably 10 hours since their last meal. Like a car needs gas to run, a body needs food to function. The body needs sugar for energy, by mid-morning, the body has very little energy available if breakfast is skipped. A nutritious breakfast also provides one-fourth of the recommended daily allowances for key nutrients, such as calcium, protein and iron. Children who do not eat breakfast are unable to make up the missed nutrients in meals eaten later in the day.

Studies have shown that students who do not eat breakfast before school have trouble concentrating and become inattentive and restless by late morning. Higher absenteeism rates and more behavioral problems have been associated with skipped breakfast. Students who ate breakfast before school had a general increase in math grades and reading scores, increased student attention, reduced nurse visits, and improved student behaviors.

Breakfast doesn’t have to mean homemade waffles and pancakes. There are many quick and easy breakfasts that provide proper nutrition. However, the composition of the meal makes a difference in how long breakfast will sustain a child throughout the morning. A balanced breakfast of carbohydrates, protein and fat will keep a child energized until lunch. According to the American Dietetic Association, the following meals will provide a balanced meal
· Ready-to-eat cereal with fruit and milk
· Toasted bagel with cheese
· Fruit-filled breakfast bar and yogurt
· Toasted waffle topped with fruit and yogurt

If you don’t like typical breakfast foods, there’s nothing wrong with eating a slice of leftover pizza in the morning. Whether you choose cereal and milk or peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the way on the door, join the breakfast relay and have more energy all day.

References: http://kidshealth.org/, http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/, http://dairycouncilofca.org/.

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Fun and Fitness

Obesity is now an epidemic in the United States. One child in five is overweight. Children who are obese are at risk for a wide range of health problems. Although there are many factors that contribute to obesity, the main culprits are the lack of exercise and the foods we eat. Today’s activity levels and the lifestyles of today’s youth have undergone a big change. Television and video games have replaced many of the activities children use to enjoy. Teaching our children the importance of fitness and proper nutrition is vital to maintaining the health of today’s youth.

One important thing we need to do is to get our kids moving. Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean kids have to spend the whole time indoors watching television or playing video games. Kids don’t need to be in organized sports in order to be active. If there’s snow on the ground, be creative: build a snowman or snow fort, go sledding or skating, play football, shovel the driveway. Try having fun with summer activities in the winter: bundle up and skateboard or inline skate, jump rope, play Frisbee, swim at an indoor pool, walk the dog. There are always chores around the house: vacuuming, laundry, washing the floor. If TV is a must, pop in a dance video and get moving! The key to motivating kids to be active is ‘fun’.

It is very important that we as adults lead by example to our children when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. So put on your snow gear, have some fun and take a ride on a sled with your kids.

References: www.fitnessandkids.com/, www.safitness.com.

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Hand Washing

Most of you are aware of the current flu vaccine shortage. But with a few simple precautions, you can still protect yourself from colds and flu. The single most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands.

Germs are everywhere, in the air you breathe, on the food you eat, and on everything you touch. One of the most common ways of catching cold is by rubbing your nose, eyes or mouth after your hands have been contaminated with the cold virus. You can also spread germs directly to others or onto surfaces that other people touch. Before you know it, everybody around you is sick.

Washing your hands is the best way to stop germs from spreading. It’s important to wash your hands often, especially before eating or touching food, after using the bathroom, after blowing your nose or coughing, after touching any pets, and after being around someone who is sick.

Believe it or not, there is a correct way to wash your hands. Using warm water, lather with soap and scrub hands well. Wash between fingers, wrists, under fingernails and back of hands. Saying the alphabet is a great way to guarantee thorough hand washing. Rinse and dry well with a clean towel. In public restrooms, remember to turn off the water using a paper towel instead of your hands.

Unfortunately, getting school-aged kids to wash their hands is often difficult, especially at school. Enclosing hand wipes in their backpacks and lunch bags might assure cleaner hands throughout the day.

If you have followed all these precautions and still get sick, stay home from school. Keeping your distance will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Don’t let germs get the best of you; have a healthy winter.

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Summer Time Safety

Summer time is almost here. For most kids, this means more outdoor activities. For all parents, this means being extra vigilant to keep your child safe and healthy. Here are some tips to keep your child safe this summer.

Ensure that your child knows how to swim. Adult supervision is a must at all times, no matter how good a swimmer your child is. Drowning is the second leading cause of death among youngsters in middle childhood. Do not allow your child to swim at beaches when there are large waves, a powerful undertow or no lifeguard. Remember fast moving water from rivers can also have a strong undertow. Prohibit your child from diving unless someone has determined the depth of the water. Lastly, do not allow your child to engage in horseplay that may result in injury.

It is well known that exposure to sun puts people at risk for skin cancer and premature aging. 80% of a person’s lifetime sun exposure occurs before they are 21 years old. Regular use of sunscreen in children can lower skin cancer risk by 78%. With statistics like these, sunscreen is imperative. Choose one that offers UVA and UVB protection and has a SPF of 15 or greater. Apply a thick coat at least 30 minutes before going outside. Follow directions on the bottle for reapplication times. Keep in mind that the sun’s radiation can penetrate through clouds and clothing only provides a SPF of 5-9. Don’t forget to protect your child’s eyes as well. Look for sunglasses that protect against UVA
and UVB radiation.

Insects are pests! Keep your child from itching all summer by utilizing safe and effective insect repellents. Those with deet are probably the best and most commonly used. It is safe to use a product that contains less than 10-30% deet. Apply to all exposed skin, except the face and open sores, and to clothing. Since insect repellents are absorbed through the skin, wash off as soon as possible. Follow the instructions, including age restrictions, on all repellents. Keep in mind that wearing light colored clothing and avoiding wearing fragrances helps deter insects.

References: Keepkidshealthy.com

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Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as ‘pink eye’, is a common infectious disease of one or both eyes caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies or chemicals or other irritants. It is spread by contact with a contaminated finger or personal items such as make-up.

Symptoms may include the following:

• Redness of the sclera (white part of the eye)
• Yellow or greenish discharge or drainage from the eye
• Itching and burning feeling of the eye
• Swelling or redness of the eyelids
• Crust to inner eye, especially upon waking

Treatment:

• Contact child’s physician for diagnosis and medication
• Avoid touching eyes to prevent the spread of infection
• Good hand washing
• Cool compress to eye for relief
• Do not share washcloths/towels
• Discard any used eye make-up

Following a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, the child may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication.

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